U.S. patent application number 12/479276 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-21 for video editing system, video editing server and communication terminal.
This patent application is currently assigned to NTT DoCoMo, Inc.. Invention is credited to Yu KOJO, Masami Yabusaki.
Application Number | 20100014826 12/479276 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41022775 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100014826 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KOJO; Yu ; et al. |
January 21, 2010 |
VIDEO EDITING SYSTEM, VIDEO EDITING SERVER AND COMMUNICATION
TERMINAL
Abstract
There are provided a video editing system, a video editing
server and a communication terminal which enable simultaneous
editing operations for editing a video content to be performed by
plural persons, without generating a file in which a content of the
editing has been reflected in the video content. One of a plurality
of editing terminals in a synchronized state generates an edit
command for editing a video content with an edit command generating
section, based on an editing operation by a user from a terminal
operating section, and transmits the generated edit command to a
video editing server via an information transmitting/receiving
section. If the edit command is received via an information
transmitting/receiving section, the video editing server transmits
the received edit command to another editing terminal in the
synchronized state, via an edit command synchronizing section. If
the edit command is received via the information
transmitting/receiving section, another editing terminal in the
synchronized state displays a content of the edit command on a
screen displaying section via an edit command displaying
section.
Inventors: |
KOJO; Yu; (Kawasaki-shi,
JP) ; Yabusaki; Masami; (Kashiwa-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CROWELL & MORING LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP
P.O. BOX 14300
WASHINGTON
DC
20044-4300
US
|
Assignee: |
NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
Chiyoda-ku
JP
|
Family ID: |
41022775 |
Appl. No.: |
12/479276 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
386/278 ;
386/E5.001 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/1095 20130101;
H04L 67/14 20130101; H04L 67/148 20130101; G11B 27/34 20130101;
G11B 27/034 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
386/52 ;
386/E05.001 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/93 20060101
H04N005/93 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 6, 2008 |
JP |
2008-149559 |
Claims
1. A video editing system comprising: a plurality of communication
terminals, in a synchronized state, simultaneously capable of
editing a common video content via a video editing interface; and a
video editing server that controls editing of the common video
content to be performed by the plurality of communication
terminals, wherein: each of the plurality of communication
terminals comprises: an edit command generating section that
generates an edit command for editing the video content; an
information transmitting/receiving section that transmits the edit
command generated by the edit command generating section to the
video editing server, and that receives the edit command for
editing the video content from another communication terminal in
the synchronized state, via the video editing server; and an edit
command displaying section that displays a content of the edit
command received by the information transmitting/receiving section,
and the video editing server comprises: an edit command
synchronizing section that transmits the edit command to another
communication terminal in the synchronized state, when the edit
command for editing the video content is received from one of the
plurality of communication terminals in the synchronized state.
2. A video editing server that relays a communication between a
plurality of communication terminals, in a synchronized state,
simultaneously capable of editing a common video content via a
video editing interface, the video editing server comprising: an
edit command synchronizing section that transmits an edit command
to another communication terminal in the synchronized state, when
the edit command is received from one of the plurality of
communication terminals in the synchronized state to perform a
synchronization process of causing said another communication
terminal to display a content of the edit command.
3. The video editing server according to claim 2, further
comprising an editing terminal calling section that transmits a
call request to a communication terminal which is not connected to
the video editing server and which is to be brought into the
synchronized state, wherein a connection to the communication
terminal is initiated by receiving a response to the call request
from the communication terminal.
4. The video editing server according to claim 2, further
comprising an edit command accumulating section for accumulating
the edit commands received from the plurality of communication
terminals in the synchronized state, wherein when a communication
terminal attempting to edit the predetermined video content is
newly connected while the plurality of communication terminals in
the synchronized state are editing a predetermined video content,
the edit command synchronizing section brings the newly connected
communication terminal into the synchronized state by transmitting
to the newly connected communication terminal the edit command, for
editing the predetermined video content, which have been
accumulated in the edit command accumulating section.
5. The video editing server according to claim 2, wherein: when the
edit command synchronizing section transmits the edit command to
the communication terminal in the synchronized state and the edit
command synchronizing section is not capable of performing the
synchronization process of causing the communication terminal to
display the content of the edit command, the edit command
synchronizing section retransmits the edit command until the
synchronization process is normally performed.
6. The video editing server according to claim 2, wherein the edit
command synchronizing section determines whether or not the
synchronization process is performed based on a predefined editing
rule, when the edit command is received from the communication
terminal in the synchronization state.
7. The video editing server according to claim 6, wherein the
predefined editing rule includes at least one of editing rules: an
editing rule in which, in a case where the plurality of
communication terminals in the synchronized state alternately edit
the common video content and the communication terminal having an
editing authority to edit the video content is alternately switched
between the plurality of communication terminals, it is determined
that the synchronization process is performed when the
communication terminal which has transmitted the edit command does
not have the editing authority at a time point when the
communication terminal transmits the edit command; and another
editing rule in which it is determined that the synchronization
process cannot be performed when the plurality of communication
terminals in the synchronized state simultaneously edit the video
content and an inconsistency occurs, if two edit commands are
simultaneously received and both of the two edit commands are
reflected.
8. A communication terminal that is one of a plurality of
communication terminals and that edits a common video content via a
video editing interface, the communication terminal comprising: an
edit command generating section that generates an edit command for
the video content; an information transmitting/receiving section
that transmits the edit command generated by the edit command
generating section to a video editing server, and that receives the
edit command for editing the video content from another
communication terminal in the synchronized state, via the video
editing server; and an edit command displaying section that
displays a content of the edit command received by the information
transmitting/receiving section.
9. The communication terminal according to claim 8, wherein: the
information transmitting/receiving section receives a call request
from a video editing system, when the communication terminal is not
connected to the video editing system which relays the editing of
the common video content to be performed by the plurality of
communication terminals; and a connection to the video editing
system is initiated by making a response to the call request
received by the information transmitting/receiving section.
10. The communication terminal according to claim 8, wherein: when
the communication terminal is connected to the video editing system
in order to edit the predetermined video content while another
communication terminal out of the plurality of communication
terminals is editing a predetermined video content, the information
transmitting/receiving section receives from the video editing
system the edit command, for editing predetermined video content,
which have been transmitted from said another communication
terminal until the communication terminal is connected to the video
editing system.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a video editing system, a
video editing server and a communication terminal, so that at least
two persons can edit a video content.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] As a conventional technique for allowing at least two
persons to edit an identical content, for example, JP 2000-30073 A
describes that, in a system in which an editing server and multiple
client computers are communicable with one another, when one client
computer edits image data and transmits information on the edited
image to an image server, the image server includes edit image
information transmitting means for transmitting information on the
edited image that has been transmitted from a client computer to a
single or multiple client computers. The above described single or
multiple client computers, each include image re-editing means for,
based on the information on the edited image that has been
transmitted from the image server, re-editing the edited image
generated by the above described single client computer, and
re-edit information transmitting means for transmitting re-edit
information on the re-edited image that has been re-edited by the
image re-editing means, to the image server. Thereby, the identical
image can be edited by different client computers.
[0005] In addition, conventional techniques for video editing are
described in JP 2002-532996 A, JP 2007-150994 A, and JP 2001-256210
A. The technique described in JP 2002-532996 A enables the video
editing without imposing a burden on a client, by performing on the
server side a process based on commands transmitted from a client
to a server via a network. In other words, in the client, a video
editing interface is installed for causing a user to perform a
predetermined set of commands, to transmit the predetermined set of
commands to the server, and to receive its result for display. All
or most of actual data processing is performed in the server. The
server operates based on a multimedia processing command that has
been received from the client, so as to make a processed multimedia
object available to a client computer via the network.
[0006] Further, JP 2007-150994 A describes that a server reads a
video content to be edited, from a storage device, generates
differential information on an editing screen to transmit the
differential information to a terminal, so that the terminal
generates the editing screen based on the differential information
and transmits user operation information to the server, and the
server edits the video content based on the operation
information.
[0007] Moreover, JP 2001-256210 A describes that, when a book
select command is sent from one terminal to a system device, data
for one selected page is displayed on the terminal, and when the
terminal transmits an edit command, the system device updates book
data in a book data storing section and also returns an update
command. If another terminal is editing an identical page, the same
update command is returned and mirror books in another terminal
also updated. Therefore, at least two terminals are simultaneously
capable of editing an identical file via a network, and also, an
edited content of is directly reflected in a file being opened in
another terminal simultaneously editing the content.
[0008] As described above, conventionally, when at least two
persons use a video editing device of a client-server type so as to
attempt editing of the video content, only one client is capable of
editing an identical video content at a time. If at least two
persons simultaneously edit a content, there is only one method in
which, when one user terminates an editing process, reflects the
edited content in the video content, and creates a file.
Subsequently, another user edits the above described file.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above
circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to
provide a video editing system, a video editing server and a
communication terminal which enable simultaneous editing operations
for editing a video content by a plurality of people, without
generating a file in which a content of the editing has been
reflected in the video content.
[0010] In order to solve the above described problems, according to
one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video
editing system comprising: a plurality of communication terminals
(a plurality of editing terminals 30), in a synchronized state,
simultaneously capable of editing a common video content via a
video editing interface; and a video editing server (10) that
controls editing of the common video content to be performed by the
plurality of communication terminals, wherein: each of the
plurality of communication terminals comprises: an edit command
generating section (3031) that generates an edit command for
editing the video content; an information transmitting/receiving
section (301) that transmits the edit command generated by the edit
command generating section to the video editing server, and that
receives the edit command for editing the video content from
another communication terminal in the synchronized state, via the
video editing server; and an edit command displaying section (3032)
that displays a content of the edit command received by the
information transmitting/receiving section, and the video editing
server comprises: an edit command synchronizing section (1032) that
transmits the edit command to another communication terminal in the
synchronized state, when the edit command for editing the video
content is received from one of the plurality of communication
terminals in the synchronized state.
[0011] According to an aspect of the present invention, since the
content of the edit command transmitted by each of the other
communication terminals in the synchronized state can be displayed
on the plurality of communication terminals in the synchronized
state, each user is able to learn what kind of editing is being
performed by other users who are using the communication terminals
and simultaneously editing the video content, without generating
the file in which the content of the editing has been reflected in
the video content. This allows multiple persons to perform the
simultaneous editing operations.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a video editing server that relays a communication
between a plurality of communication terminals, in a synchronized
state, simultaneously capable of editing a common video content via
a video editing interface, the video editing server comprising: an
edit command synchronizing section that transmits an edit command
to another communication terminal in the synchronized state, when
the edit command is received from one of the plurality of
communication terminals in the synchronized state to perform a
synchronization process of causing said another communication
terminal to display a content of the edit command.
[0013] According to an aspect of the present invention, since the
content of the edit command transmitted by each of the other
communication terminals in the synchronized state can be displayed
on the plurality of communication terminals in the synchronized
state, each use is able to learn know what kind of editing is being
performed by the other users who are using the communication
terminals and simultaneously editing the video content, without
generating the file in which the content of the editing has been
reflected in the video content. This allows multiple persons to
perform the simultaneous editing operations.
[0014] The above-described video editing server may further include
an editing terminal calling section (1031) that transmits a call
request to a communication terminal which is not connected to the
video editing server and which is to be brought into the
synchronized state, wherein a connection to the communication
terminal is initiated by receiving a response to the call request
from the communication terminal.
[0015] According to an aspect of the present invention, the video
editing server can be connected to the communication terminal by
transmitting the call request to the communication terminal to be
put into the synchronized state and receiving the response.
Therefore, even if the communication terminal is not connected to
the video editing server, the user of the communication terminal is
able to start the simultaneous editing of the video content.
[0016] The above video editing server may further include an edit
command accumulating section (1034) for accumulating the edit
commands received from the plurality of communication terminals in
the synchronized state, wherein when a communication terminal
attempting to edit the predetermined video content is newly
connected while the plurality of communication terminals in the
synchronized state are editing a predetermined video content, the
edit command synchronizing section brings the newly connected
communication terminal into the synchronized state by transmitting
to the newly connected communication terminal the edit command, for
editing the predetermined video content, which have been
accumulated in the edit command accumulating section.
[0017] According to an aspect of the present invention, while
multiple communication terminals in the synchronized state are
editing the predetermined video content, even if another
communication terminal is newly connected, the communication
terminal can be brought into the synchronized state. Therefore, the
user of the communication terminal is able to perform
simultaneously the editing operation for editing the predetermined
video content in the middle of the editing operation.
[0018] In the above-described video editing server, when the above
edit command synchronizing means has transmitted the edit command
to the communication terminal in the above described synchronized
state, if the above described edit command synchronizing means has
not been able to perform the synchronization process of causing the
communication terminal to display the content of the above
described edit command, the above described edit command
synchronizing means retransmits the above described edit command
until the above described synchronization process can be normally
performed.
[0019] According to an aspect of the present invention, the
synchronized state of the communication terminals in the
synchronized state can be maintained.
[0020] In the above-described video editing server, wherein the
edit command synchronizing section may determine whether or not the
synchronization process is performed based on a predefined editing
rule, when the edit command is received from the communication
terminal in the synchronization state.
[0021] According to an aspect of the present invention, the
synchronization process can be performed, while the synchronized
state is maintained, according to the predefined editing rule.
[0022] In the above-described video editing server, wherein the
predefined editing rule may include at least one of editing rules:
an editing rule in which, in a case where the plurality of
communication terminals in the synchronized state alternately edit
the common video content and the communication terminal having an
editing authority to edit the video content is alternately switched
between the plurality of communication terminals, it is determined
that the synchronization process is performed when the
communication terminal which has transmitted the edit command does
not have the editing authority at a time point when the
communication terminal transmits the edit command; and another
editing rule in which it is determined that the synchronization
process cannot be performed when the plurality of communication
terminals in the synchronized state simultaneously edit the video
content and an inconsistency occurs, if two edit commands are
simultaneously received and both of the two edit commands are
reflected.
[0023] According to an aspect of the present invention, the
synchronization process can be performed, while the synchronized
state is being maintained, according to the predefined editing
rule.
[0024] According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a communication terminal (editing terminal 30)
that is one of a plurality of communication terminals and that
edits a common video content via a video editing interface, the
communication terminal comprising: an edit command generating
section (3031) that generates an edit command for the video
content; an information transmitting/receiving section (301) that
transmits the edit command generated by the edit command generating
section to a video editing server, and that receives the edit
command for editing the video content from another communication
terminal in the synchronized state, via the video editing server;
and an edit command displaying section (3032) that displays a
content of the edit command received by the information
transmitting/receiving section.
[0025] According to an aspect of the present invention, the
communication terminal is capable of transmitting the edit command
from the communication terminal to another communication terminal,
receive the edit command from another communication terminal, and
thereby display the content of the edit command. Therefore, the
user of the communication terminal is able to learn what kind of
editing is being performed by another user who is simultaneously
editing the video content, without generating the file in which the
content of the editing has been reflected in the video content.
This allows multiple persons simultaneous editing of editing the
video content.
[0026] In the above-described communication terminal, the
information transmitting/receiving section may receive a call
request from a video editing system, when the communication
terminal is not connected to the video editing system which relays
the editing of the common video content to be performed by the
plurality of communication terminals; and a connection to the video
editing system is initiated by making a response to the call
request received by the information transmitting/receiving
section.
[0027] According to an aspect of the present invention, even if the
communication terminal is not connected to the video editing
system, the communication terminal is capable of starting the
connection to the video editing system by responding to the call
request, and the user of the communication terminal can start the
simultaneous editing of the video content.
[0028] In the above-described communication terminal, when the
communication terminal is connected to the video editing system in
order to edit the predetermined video content while another
communication terminal out of the plurality of communication
terminals is editing a predetermined video content, the information
transmitting/receiving section may receive from the video editing
system the edit command, for editing predetermined video content,
which have been transmitted from said another communication
terminal until the communication terminal is connected to the video
editing system.
[0029] According an aspect of to the present invention, even if the
communication terminal is connected while the plurality of
communication terminals are editing the predetermined video
content, it is possible to receive the edit commands for the
predetermined video content, which have been transmitted from
another communication terminal until the communication terminal has
been connected. This allows the user of the communication terminal
to simultaneously perform the editing operation for editing the
predetermined video content in the middle of the editing
operation.
[0030] According to an aspect of the present invention, since the
content of the edit command transmitted by each of the other
communication terminals in the synchronized state can be displayed
on the plurality of communication terminals in the synchronized
state, the user is able to learn what kind of editing is being
performed by other users who are using the communication terminals
and simultaneously editing the video content, without generating
the file in which the content of the editing has been reflected in
the video content. This allows multiple persons to perform
simultaneous editing operations for editing the video content.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is a configuration illustrative of a video editing
system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a configuration illustrative of a video editing
server according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrative of a functional
configuration of a multi-terminal management section according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 4 is a configuration illustrative of an editing
terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrative of operations
until synchronization is completed in the video editing system
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrative of operations in
which the editing terminals simultaneously edit a common video
content, and the video editing server stores the video content in
which an edited content has been reflected, according to an
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0037] FIG. 7 is a view illustrative of an example of a video
editing screen according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that,
in the following description, in the respective drawings to be
referred, parts equivalent to those illustrated in other drawings
are indicated by the same reference numerals.
(Overall Configuration)
[0039] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration illustrative of a video
editing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the video editing system according to an
embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a
video editing server 10 for relaying an editing process for editing
a video content, a plurality of editing terminals 30 through which
users perform editing operations for editing the video content, and
a network 20 for controlling communications among the video editing
server 10 and the editing terminals 30. In the following
description, when it is necessary to describe the plurality of
editing terminals 30 to be distinguished from one another, the
plurality of editing terminals 30 will be referred to as "editing
terminals 30A, 30B, . . . ".
(Configuration of Video Editing Server)
[0040] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrative of the video
editing server 10 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the video editing server 10
includes a video editing section 102, a multi-terminal management
section 103, an information transmitting/receiving section 101, a
video database (DB) 104, and an editing memory 105.
[0041] The information transmitting/receiving section 101 includes
a communication interface, so as to transmit and receive various
types of data such as video/image data, an edit command for editing
the video content, an editing application start signal, and a
response signal to the editing application start signal, between
each of the editing terminals 30 and the multi-terminal management
section 103.
[0042] The video editing section 102 uses the video DB 104 and the
editing memory 105 to perform the editing process for editing the
video content. The video DB 104 is a database for storing the video
content. The video DB 104 transmits a part of the video content
(video data) to be edited to the editing memory 105, according to a
signal applied from the video editing section 102. Moreover, based
on a registration signal applied from the editing terminal 30, the
video DB 104 reflects the edited video data in the editing memory
105, into the video DB 104. The editing memory 105 is a temporary
storage area used for editing the video content stored in the video
DB 104.
[0043] The multi-terminal management section 103 has a function of
calling the editing terminal 30 which is not connected to the video
editing system, a function of synchronizing the edit command among
the plurality of editing terminals 30 managed in a synchronized
state, and the like.
(Configuration of Multi-Terminal Management Section)
[0044] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrative of a functional
configuration of the multi-terminal management section 103 in
detail. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the multi-terminal management
section 103 includes an editing terminal calling section 1031, an
edit command synchronizing section 1032, a connected client
information management section 1033, and an edit command
accumulating section 1034.
[0045] The connected client information management section 1033
manages information on the editing terminals 30 connected to the
video editing system (that is, the server 10), and the editing
terminals 30 in the synchronized state, in which a common video
content is editable.
[0046] Specifically, the connected client information management
section 1033 stores in a memory information with which the editing
terminals 30 connected to the video editing system can be
identified, and information with which the editing terminals 30 in
the synchronized state can be identified (manufacturing numbers of
the editing terminals 30, identifiers linked with programs stored
in the editing terminals 30, and arbitrary identifiers with which
the users of the editing terminals 30 can be identified, such as
user accounts).
[0047] In order to connect an editing terminal 30 which is not
connected to the video editing system, to the video editing system,
the editing terminal calling section 1031 transmits a call request
to the above described editing terminal 30. In the present
embodiment, as the call request, the editing application start
signal for starting an editing application program stored in the
editing terminal 30 is transmitted.
[0048] When receiving the response signal to the transmitted
editing application start signal, the video editing server 10
starts connection with the above described editing terminal 30, and
manages the identifier of the above described editing terminal 30
as the connected terminal, in the connected client information
management section 1033.
[0049] When the edit command is received from an editing terminal
30 out of the plurality of editing terminals 30 managed in the
synchronized state in the connected client information management
section 1033, that is, out of the plurality of editing terminals 30
attempting to simultaneously edit a predetermined video content,
the edit command synchronizing section 1032 performs a
synchronization process of notifying remaining editing terminal or
terminals 30 in the synchronized state, of the above received edit
command. Simultaneously, the edit command synchronizing section
1032 accumulates the above described edit command in the edit
command accumulating section 1034.
[0050] Each of the editing terminals 30 which has received the
above described edit command from the video editing server 10
allows a user to recognize what kind of edit command has been
issued from another editing terminal 30 in the synchronized state,
by displaying a content of the above described edit command on an
editing screen.
[0051] It should be noted that, in a case where the editing
terminal 30 managed in the synchronized state is a terminal such as
a cellular phone, which has a poor processing capacity or which is
communicating in a bad communication environmental state, the video
editing server 10 may perform a process of changing information to
be transmitted, in accordance with the processing capacity or
transmission capacity of the above described editing terminal 30. A
conceivable example is to transmit the content of the edit command
as text data, instead of transmitting the content of the edit
command as the image data. According to the present embodiment, the
edit command synchronizing section 1032 assumes the role of
performing the process.
[0052] Simultaneous or alternate editing operations to be performed
by the plurality of editing terminals 30 are accomplished under the
control of the edit command synchronizing section 1032. In other
words, when the plurality of editing terminals 30 simultaneously
edit the video content, the edit command synchronizing section 1032
processes a bidirectional synchronization of the edit command so
that inconsistency does not occur. When the plurality of editing
terminals 30 alternately perform the editing process, the edit
command synchronizing section 1032 performs the process so that the
edit command from one editing terminal 30 is reflected and the
other edit command is not reflected.
[0053] Whether the video content is simultaneously edited or
alternately edited is determined, based on a predefined editing
rule. When the edit command is received from one of the plurality
of editing terminals 30 in the synchronized state, the edit command
synchronizing section 1032 determines whether or not the
synchronization process can be performed without an inconsistency
based on the predefined editing rule. When it is determined that
the synchronization process can be performed, the edit command
synchronizing section 1032 performs the synchronization process.
When it is determined that the synchronization process cannot be
performed, the edit command synchronizing section 1032 rejects the
above described edit command without performing the synchronization
process.
[0054] As the predefined editing rule, there is an editing rule in
which, in a case where the plurality of editing terminals 30 in the
synchronized state alternately edit the common video content and
the editing terminal 30 having an editing authority to edit the
video content is alternately switched among the plurality of
editing terminals 30, it is determined, at a time point when the
editing terminal 30 transmits the edit command, that the
synchronization process cannot be performed, if the editing
terminal 30 which has transmitted the edit command does not have
the editing authority. There is another editing rule in which it is
determined that the synchronization process cannot be performed, if
the plurality of editing terminals 30 in the synchronized state
simultaneously edit the video content and the inconsistency occurs
at a time point when two edit commands are simultaneously received
and both of them are reflected. The case where the inconsistency
occurs when two edit commands are simultaneously received and both
of them are reflected includes a case where an edit command for
cutting predetermined video data and an edit command for applying a
mosaic process to the video data have been simultaneously
received.
[0055] Moreover, when the edit command synchronizing section 1032
transmits the edit command to another editing terminal 30 in the
synchronized state, if the edit command synchronizing section 1032
is not capable of completing the synchronization process of causing
the above described editing terminal 30 to display the content of
the edit command, because the editing terminal 30 is not capable of
normally receiving the edit command or the like, the edit command
synchronizing section 1032 periodically retransmits the edit
command until the synchronization process is normally
completed.
[0056] It should be noted that, instead of transmitting and
receiving the edit command between or among the plurality of
editing terminals 30 via the video editing server 10 and the
network 20, a conceivable configuration is that the edit command is
directly transmitted and received between or among the editing
terminals 30 via the network 20. Alternatively, a short-range radio
communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like
can also be used to directly transmit and receive the edit command
between or among the editing terminals 30. However, if such a
scheme is employed, it is necessary to provide the editing
terminals 30 having functions corresponding to those of the edit
command synchronizing section 1032, the edit command accumulating
section 1034, and the connected client information management
section 1033.
[0057] The edit command accumulating section 1034 accumulates the
edit commands transmitted from the editing terminals 30, as an
editing operation history. While the plurality of editing terminals
30 are performing the editing operations for editing the video
content, when another editing terminal 30 attempting to edit the
above described video content is newly connected to the video
editing system, the above described accumulated edit commands for
the video content are transmitted to the above described newly
connected editing terminal 30. Thereby, the newly connected editing
terminal 30 is brought into the state of synchronized
synchronization with the plurality of editing terminals 30 that are
editing the above described video content.
(Configuration of Editing Terminal)
[0058] FIG. 4 illustrates a configuration of the editing terminal
30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As
illustrated in FIG. 4, the editing terminal 30 includes a screen
displaying section 304, a terminal operating section 305, an
editing engine section 303, an information transmitting/receiving
section 301, a workspace memory 306, and a video DB 302.
[0059] The screen displaying section 304 has a function of a video
editing interface to display an image, a video, a video editing
screen and the like, on a display, based on display data
transmitted from the editing engine section 303.
[0060] The terminal operating section 305 includes operation keys,
a pointing device and the like to notify the editing engine section
303 of operation information, based on the operation performed by
the user.
[0061] The editing engine section 303 has a function achieved by a
Central Processing Unit (CPU) of the editing terminal 30 executing
a process according to the program stored in the memory. The
editing engine section 303 displays the video editing screen on the
display, receives the operation information based on the editing
operation performed by the user, and controls the process for the
video editing.
[0062] Moreover, in receipt of the editing application start signal
from the video editing server 10, the editing engine section 303
starts a predetermined operation of prompting the user to perform
the simultaneous editing of the predetermined video content.
Specifically, the editing engine section 303 includes an edit
command generating section 3031, an edit command displaying section
3032, and an editing application storing section 3033.
[0063] The edit command generating section 3031 generates the edit
command to be transmitted to the video editing server 10, based on
the editing operation performed by the user. The above described
edit command is transmitted to the video editing server 10 through
the information transmitting/receiving section 301.
[0064] The edit command displaying section 3032 displays on the
screen displaying section 304 the content of the edit command that
has been received from each of the other editing terminals 30 in
the synchronized state, and the content of the edit command that
has been generated by the edit command generating section 3031.
[0065] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the video editing screen on
which a content of the edit command is displayed under the control
of the edit command displaying section 3032. As illustrated in FIG.
7, the video editing screen includes an editing section 500, an
edit command selection section 600, and a video displaying section
700. The editing section 500 displays a display 501 for displaying
thumbnails which are sets of images included in the video content,
a run-time display 502, and the contents of the edit commands 503
such as mosaic, fade-out, or the like. The edit command selection
section 600 displays a list of images representing the contents of
the edit commands which can be selected by the user. The video
displaying section 700 displays an actual video being edited.
[0066] In this way, since the content of the edit command
transmitted from each of the other editing terminals 30 in the
synchronized state is displayed on the video editing screen, the
content of the edit command issued for the video content to be
edited can be shared between or among the plurality of editing
terminals 30 in the synchronized state. This allows each user to
learn what kind of editing is being performed by another user of
other users performing the simultaneous editing, merely by looking
at the video editing screen of the user's own editing terminal
30.
[0067] It should be noted that a method of displaying the content
of the edit command is not limited the above description, and any
kind of image may be used to display the content of the edit
command. Moreover, the content of the edit command may be displayed
by not only an image but also a text.
[0068] The editing application storing section 3033 stores the
editing application program which is started up by the editing
application start signal or the like. The above described functions
of the edit command generating section 3031 and the edit command
displaying section 3032 are accomplished by the CPU of the editing
terminal 30 performing the process according to the above described
editing application program that has been started up, whereby
simultaneous editing of a common video content is made
available.
[0069] It should be noted that a program for an editing engine or
editing application program may not be stored in the editing
terminal 30 beforehand, and may be downloaded from the video
editing server 10 whenever the video editing is to be performed,
and the downloaded program may be deleted when the editing is
terminated. The download of the program whenever editing is
performed in this way has an advantage of achieving editing
functions for the video content in the editing terminal 30 without
storing the program beforehand in the editing terminal 30.
[0070] The information transmitting/receiving section 301 exchanges
with the video editing server 10 the video/image data, the edit
command for editing the video content, the editing application
start signal, the response signal to the editing application start
signal, screen information for displaying the video editing screen,
and the like.
[0071] The video DB 302 receives the video content to be edited,
from the video editing server 10, and stores the video content to
be edited. The workspace memory 306 temporarily stores the video
data to be edited, the edit command based on the editing operation
performed by the user, the edit command received from each of the
other editing terminals 30, and the like.
(Operations)
[0072] Subsequently, operations of the video editing system
according to an embodiment of the present invention will be
described.
(Operations until Synchronization is Completed)
[0073] Firstly, with reference to FIG. 5, operations until the
synchronization is completed in the video editing system will be
described.
[0074] The editing terminal 30 is connected to the video editing
system, and then transmits the identifier of a target editing
terminal 30 with which the editing of the common video content is
simultaneously attempted, to the video editing server 10 (S101). As
conceivable methods of transmitting the identifier of the target
editing terminal 30, a user inputs information necessary for
starting the simultaneous editing from an input screen, of the
target terminal, to be displayed by executing the editing
application program, and then the editing terminal 30 transmits the
inputted information to the video editing server 10. Alternatively,
the editing terminal 30 receives a Web page for inputting the
identifier of the target editing terminal 30, from the video
editing server 10, so that the user inputs the identifier from the
above described Web page, or the like. However, any method with
which the video editing server 10 is capable of identifying the
target editing terminal 30 uniquely may be employed.
[0075] As yet another embodiment, in a case where one of the
editing terminals 30 performing audio/video communications via a
network such as a mobile communication network initiates the
editing application program (S102) and is connected to the video
editing system, the video editing server 10 receives the identifier
of the editing terminal 30 in communication with the above
described connected editing terminal 30, from the above described
editing terminal 30, thereby obtaining the identifier of the target
editing terminal 30 with which the simultaneous editing is
attempted and the communication is being established, without the
user's input (S103).
[0076] According to steps in S101 to S103, in receipt of the
identifier of the target editing terminal 30, the video editing
server 10 determines whether or not the target editing terminal 30
is connected to the video editing system by verifying the
above-described identifier with the information on the connected
terminals stored in the connected client information management
section 1033 in the multi-terminal management section 103 (S104).
As a result of the verification, when it is determined that the
target editing terminal 30 is already connected to the video
editing system, it is not necessary to call the target editing
terminal 30. Therefore, the processing proceeds to the
synchronization step in S110.
[0077] Conversely, as a result of the verification, when it is
determined that the target editing terminal 30 is not connected,
the editing terminal calling section 1031 included in the
multi-terminal management section 103 of the video editing server
10 calls the target editing terminal 30 via the network 20 (S105).
Specifically, for example, in a case where the network 20 is a
mobile communication network, a call control device in the network
20 performs a process of calling the editing terminal 30. After a
session with the target editing terminal 30 is established, the
video editing server 10 transmits the editing application start
signal to the target editing terminal 30.
[0078] The process flow is branched depending on whether or not
there is a response to the call (S106). When the target editing
terminal 30 makes a response, the connection of the target editing
terminal 30 to the video editing system is initiated (S107).
Conversely, when there is no response to the call for any reason
and the connection of the target editing terminal 30 to the video
editing system is not completed, the editing terminal 30 which has
made the call is notified of it, and the processing is terminated
(S108).
[0079] When the connection of the target editing terminal 30 to the
video editing system is initiated, a process of starting the
editing application in the target editing terminal 30 is performed
(S109). Authentication, environment determination processing, and
the like performed in S109 between the video editing server 10 and
the editing terminal 30 are not directly related to the present
invention, so details thereof are omitted.
[0080] Subsequently, the synchronization process is performed in
S110. Specifically, the edit command synchronizing section 1032 of
the video editing server 10 transmits to the target editing
terminal 30 the edit commands accumulated in the edit command
accumulating section 1034 until the target editing terminal 30 is
connected to the video editing system, and the screen information
for displaying the video editing screen on which the video content
is edited.
[0081] In receipt of the accumulated edit commands and the screen
information from the video editing server 10, the edit command
displaying section 3032 of the target editing terminal 30 displays
the video editing screen on which the contents of the edit commands
503 accumulated until the connection to the video editing system is
completed are displayed, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 7.
Therefore, if no edit command has been accumulated in the edit
command accumulating section 1034 because the editing operation for
the video content has not been initiated until the target editing
terminal 30 is connected or the like, the synchronization process
is completed at a time point of S109.
[0082] When displaying the video editing screen, on which the
contents of the edit commands have been displayed and completing
the synchronization process, the target editing terminal 30
notifies the video editing server 10 of the completion of the
synchronization process. The video editing server 10 which has
received the completion notification recognizes that the editing
terminal 30 is in the synchronized state, and registers its
information in the connected client information management section
1033 of the multi-terminal management section 103 (S111).
(Operations for Simultaneous Video Editing)
[0083] Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 6, a description will
be given of operations in which the editing terminals 30A, 30B, . .
. , 30N in the synchronized state simultaneously perform the
editing operations for editing the common video content, and the
video editing server 10 reflects the edited content and stores the
video content.
[0084] When the user performs the editing operation for editing the
terminal operating section 305, the editing terminal 30A generates
the edit command with the edit command generating section 3031, and
transmits the generated edit command to the video editing server 10
via the information transmitting/receiving section 301 (S112).
[0085] In receipt of the edit command via the information
transmitting/receiving section 101, the video editing server 10
processes the edit command in the video editing section 102 and in
the multi-terminal management section 103, respectively.
Specifically, the edit command synchronizing section 1032 in the
multi-terminal management section 103 determines whether or not the
edit command can be synchronized (S113). This determination process
is performed for preventing the inconsistency in the edit command
among the plurality of editing terminals 30 based on the predefined
editing rule. Alternatively, this determination process is
performed for suppressing a command from the editing terminal 30
that does not have the editing authority, if the plurality of
editing terminals 30 alternately edits the video content and the
editing terminal 30 having the editing authority to edit the video
content is alternately switched between or among the plurality of
editing terminals 30. This determination process is provided for
performing smooth simultaneous editing operations. When it is
determined that the synchronization process cannot be performed and
then an edit command is rejected, the video editing server 10
transmits a rejection notification to the editing terminal 30A
which has transmitted the edit command (S114). In a case where no
problem will occur in performing the synchronization process, such
as a case where the edit command is received from the editing
terminal 30 having the editing authority, the edit command
synchronizing section 1032 of the video editing server 10 performs
the synchronization process by transmitting the edit command to the
other editing terminals 30B, . . . , 30N in the synchronized state.
Simultaneously, the edit command synchronizing section 1032
notifies the editing terminal 30A which has transmitted the edit
command that the edit command has been accepted. In addition, the
video editing server 10 performs a process of accumulating the
received edit command in the edit command accumulating section 1034
(S115).
[0086] The edit command displaying section 3032 of each of the
other editing terminals 30B, . . . , 30N, which has received the
edit command, performs the synchronization process by displaying
the content of the received edit command on the video editing
screen, and notifies the video editing server 10 that the
synchronization process has been completed (S116).
[0087] The video editing server 10, upon receipt of the
synchronization completion notifications from the other editing
terminals 30B, . . . , 30N, recognizes that the synchronization of
the edit commands is completed (S117). When the synchronization
completion notifications is not received and it is recognized that
the synchronization of the edit command is not completed, the video
editing server 10 attempts to perform the synchronization by
periodically transmitting the edit commands to the other editing
terminals 30B, . . . , 30N via the edit command synchronizing
section 1032, or the like.
[0088] The editing terminal 30A, which has been notified by the
video editing server 10 that the edit command has been accepted,
performs a process of displaying the edit command acceptance
notification on the screen or the like (S118).
[0089] According to the above described steps in S112 to S118, the
synchronization process for a set of edit commands based on
one-time editing operation performed by the user is terminated.
[0090] Under the assumption of an actual video editing operation,
the steps in S112 to S118 are repeatedly performed, and any number
of the edit commands based on any number of editing operations
performed by the user are accumulated in the workspace memory 306
of the editing terminal 30A (S119).
[0091] When a user desires to view the video content in which the
accumulated edit commands are reflected, or when a user desires to
make a file of the video content in which the accumulated edit
commands are reflected, or the like, the user performs an operation
of instructing such a desire, from the terminal operating section
305. Thereby, the editing terminal 30A transmits an edit execution
command to the video editing server 10 via the information
transmitting/receiving section 301 (S120).
[0092] The video editing server 10 which has received the edit
execution command determines whether or not the process can be
performed, and performs processes accompanied with the
determination, similarly to the processes described in S113 to S118
(S121). Then, the video editing server 10 performs the editing
process for the video content, makes the file of the edited video
content, and performs the accumulation and the like (S122). It
should be noted that a process in S122 is not directly related to
the present invention, so the details thereof are omitted.
[0093] As described heretofore, since the content of the edit
command that has been transmitted from each of the other editing
terminals 30 in the synchronized state can be displayed on the
plurality of editing terminals 30 in the synchronized state, the
user of the editing terminal 30 is able to learn what kind of
editing is being performed by the other users who are
simultaneously editing the video content, without generating a file
in which the content of the editing has been reflected in the video
content. Therefore, the simultaneous editing of the video content
to be performed by a plurality of persons is enabled.
[0094] Moreover, the video editing server 10 transmits the call
request to the editing terminal 30 to be brought into the
synchronized state, is connected to the above described editing
terminal 30, transmits a history of the edit commands accumulated
in the edit command accumulating section 1034, to the above
described newly connected editing terminal 30, whereby the newly
connected editing terminal is brought into the synchronized state.
Therefore, the user is able to perform the simultaneous editing
operation for editing the video content even in the middle of the
simultaneous editing operation, without having the editing terminal
30 constantly connected to the video editing system.
[0095] The present invention is applicable to the simultaneous
editing of the common video content to be performed by a plurality
of communication terminals.
* * * * *